Laura J. Tretheway

MADISON - Laura J. Tretheway, age 69, passed away on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2016, surrounded by her husband and loving caregivers after a courageous battle with Huntington's Disease. She was born March 10, 1947, in Oconomowoc, the daughter of Cleve and Marion (Snodie) Cartwright. Laura grew up in Fort Atkinson and was a graduate of Madison Business College. During her career she worked as an executive secretary and bookkeeper. She was highly skilled, fluent in everything from shorthand to accounting. She pioneered the use of early word processing programs on microcomputers and led the conversion of several businesses to computerized word processing, spreadsheet and accounting software. Laura married her long-time partner, James A. Tretheway, on July 21, 1984, and moved the following week to Copenhagen Denmark, where they lived while on a business assignment. Laura made many friends in Denmark and relished the culture, museums and way of life. In Madison Laura enjoyed her spacious home on Lake Monona with a beautiful view of the downtown skyline. Working together with her husband Jim, she invested many hours of sweat equity over several years to turn a drafty, uninsulated lake cottage into their comfortable home. She particularly looked forward to the family get-togethers and reunions she hosted for her family during the summer months. During summers Laura enjoyed boating and water skiing with family and friends. She was an avid snow skier and especially delighted in their annual ski trip to Aspen, Colo. to meet and ski with old friends. She enthusiastically traveled to ski in Canada, Switzerland, Austria, Italy and elsewhere in the United States. A special joy for her was to ski over the Alps from Zermatt, Switzerland to Cervinia, Italy...and then at the end of the day took a rickety gondola back up the mountain in a blustery snowstorm to ski back down to Zermatt in Switzerland. Laura traveled widely with her husband in the United States and abroad. Hawaii was a favorite destination because of its beautiful flowers and lush scenery. She visited many European countries and especially enjoyed a trip to see the pyramids and antiquities of Egypt. She was a talented gardener and enjoyed playing piano and classical guitar. Laura is survived by her husband, Jim; four sisters, Carol Beckard, Patricia Tschohl, Connie Riedel and Sandra Riedel; one brother, Wesley (Beverly) Riedel; brothers-in-law, John (Willeen) Tretheway and Michael (Julia) Tretheway; sister-in-law, Barbara (Michelle Beeman) Tretheway; and many nephews, nieces and good friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; step-father, Archie Riedel; and one sister, Sue Smith. A Celebration of Life of family and friends will be held on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2016, from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, Wis. You are invited to share your memories of Laura at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Care 5203 Monona Drive (608)221-5420